Leaving Neverland, the documentary that centers around sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, premiered at Sundance on Friday (January 25). Sundance director John Cooper spoke to the crowd before the screening, revealing that there were mental health professionals on hand to speak to people during and after the screening due to the nature of the film.
Reporters and film critics at the screening also revealed reactions to the film that they witnessed and they also shared the overall consensus of how people felt about the film. Rolling Stone's David Fear wrote, "At the midpoint of LEAVING NEVERLAND, audience seems slightly shellshocked. There are not enough Silkwood showers in the world to get rid of the feeling I have watching this."
The documentary focuses on two accusers, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who allege that Jackson sexually abused them for years before tossing them aside for younger boys when they were teens. Robson reportedly said Jackson told him, "'If anyone ever found out that we were doing these sexual things, we would go to jail for the rest of our lives."
As for Safechuck, he claimed that he and Jackson had sex at the same hotel room that the singer booked rooms for the boy's parents. He also claims that Jackson suggested they do a mock ceremony where the singer gave him a diamond-encrusted ring. Safechuck added, "I was really into jewelry, so he would reward me with jewelry for sexual acts."
Both Safechuck and Robson claim that Jackson would try to turn them against their parents and women, and they say the manipulation continued into adulthood. They say Jackson pressured them to testify during his 2005 trial for molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo, but only Robson complied as he felt an obligation to help his friend.
Neither Safecuck or Robson were paid for their contribution to the documentary as some have claimed.
Source: USA Today
